Cyclone Jakob Steen guards a Cardinal player dribbling the ball at the last regular season game on February 28 in Arlington. Photo by Kandice Schlagel.
By Heather Jordan
Five players scored in double figures to power Clark-Willow Lake to a 76-33 boys' basketball win to end the 2024-25 regular season with a bang on February 28 in Arlington.
With multiple scoring threats, aggressive rebounding and gritty defense, the Cyclones outmatched the Cardinals at every turn. Motivation was not a factor in this contest, and Clark-Willow Lake had no issues staying on track with such a large margin on the scoreboard.
"It really wasn't a challenge to stay motivated," stated Head Coach Jerome Nesheim. "Our guys are getting focused on the postseason, and we try to emphasize doing things right all the time and playing hard."
Sophomore Chris Bevers finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, eight steals and six assists to pace the Cyclones. Bevers was busy throughout the contest and having a point guard who can handle the ball, score and defend sets the Cyclones up for success on both ends of the court.
"Chris gives us another player who can score, but he also gives us so much more with his ability to handle the ball and find the open guy," added Coach Nesheim. "We have been working with Chris trying to get him to be more selfish at times."
Sully Felberg added 13 points, six rebounds and four assists while Bo Begeman and Will Hovde scored 11 points apiece. Emmerson Larson recorded 10 points and four rebounds, and Jakob Steen grabbed nine rebounds.
Begeman and Felberg teamed up for a couple of slam dunks in this game and seemed relaxed and confident throwing down their shots. to dunk, or not to dunk? That is the question.
"These guys do it in practice all the time, and we have been trying to convince them to do it in a game. Because once you do it, you'll try to do it all the time, and that makes them attack the basket harder."
Hovde and Steen saw larger roles in this game with Hovde scoring 11 points and Steen grabbing nine rebounds. Folding in additional contributors to Nesheim's core mix helps to build up the entire team. "Guys coming off the bench are expected to contribute and take care of the ball when they are in. Will is a very good shooter, so we were running some things that would get him some open shots. And, Jakob always plays bigger than what he really is," Nesheim explained.
With the postseason starting on March 4 vs. Great Plains Lutheran in Clark, the Cyclones have high goals and expectations for navigating Region 2A play this week.
"We want to make sure we bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We need to be focused on the defensive side of the ball and make it hard for other teams to score."
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